VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI — It looks like the Van Buren County Youth Fair is the second Southwest Michigan fair to take advantage of a state program offering improvement grants.

In this file photo, Jacob LaRue of Bloomingdale shows his pig at the Van Buren County Youth Fair.Gazette File

State Rep. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, announced Thursday that the fair is receiving a $20,000 state grant as part of the County Fairs Capital Improvement Program, which provides Michigan county fairs with funds for proposed enhancements.

Nesbitt said the funds will be matched by the Van Buren County Youth Fair board of directors to complete a number of upgrades and repairs to the small animal display barns.

"We are very excited to receive this
grant," said Margie Godines, secretary of the Van Buren Youth Fair Board. "Some
of the barns on the ground are close to 40 years old. Making these necessary
improvements will ensure that they are around for several more years to come."

Last year the fair received a state
grant of $5,391.50 to help fund upgrades to the electrical service at the
fairgrounds.

"Family farmers are a
cornerstone in Southwest Michigan's economy, and getting youth involved in
farming early will help teach valuable life skills like hard work and personal
responsibility," Nesbitt said in a press release. "The upgrades made possible
by the grant will enable the fairgrounds to continue serving future farmers of
Van Buren County and benefit our local communities."

The Michigan Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development awarded grants between $2,525 and $20,000 for
21 improvement projects throughout Michigan. All grants require a matching
commitment by the local fair.

It was also reported Thursday that Van Buren County commissioners voted to keep the fair in Hartford until 2073.

Alex Mitchell covers county government and taxes for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Email him at amitche5@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.